American Colonization Society.

293

the more decided and general will be its approbation and we al ready number among our patrons many whose dispositions were at first neutral, if not unfriendly.

The objectors to the society are generally those who acknowledge the importance and utility of establishing the proposed colony, but suppose it impracticable; and they refer principally, 1st. to the difficulty of procuring a proper situation for the colony. 2d. the supposed repugnance of the colonists. 3d. the expense of emigration. The first objection is assuming a difficulty without proof, and will be best answered by the report of the Agents who have been sent to explore the country. The Managers are enabled at present to state, that, from information derived from various sources, they are persuaded that a situation can be procured in Africa with the approbation, and secured from the hostility of the nations, which will possess such fertility of soil, and salubrity of climate, as to make it an inviting situation to the people of colour in this country.

2. The objection on the part of the coloured people, it is readily seen, springs from first impressions, and is the result of entire ignorance and misapprehension. As these are removed, and their minds are informed upon the subject, the phantom which their alarmed imaginations had conjured up, gradually disappears and when they learn that the land of their fathers is not cursed by a perpetual and unvarying sterility, nor inhabited by the most sanguinary and ferocious savages, toat instinctive principle which binds it to their affections, is soon seen to unfold itself; and though the Managers have learned with surprise and regret that their fears have been awakened in some places, by persons claiming their confidence as their peculiar and avowed defenders and benefactors, they still believe that the diffusion of juster opinions, founded on undoubted facts in relation to the state of things in Africa, and the advantages of a settlement there, will make it very generally if not universally the place of their decided preference. The Managers are the more confirmed in this opinion from their knowledge of the decided approbation of many of the most intelligent among the people of colour to the plan of the society, notwithstanding the alarms which had been created, and the misapprehensions which had been excited, and that many of those who were at first violent in their opposition, have become as decidedly friendly, upon learning the real motives, intentions and objects of the society.

The Managers have ascertained that there are numbers of the highest standing for intelligence and respectability among that class of people, who are decidedly and warmly in favour of the plan, from a conviction that it will, if accomplished, powerfully co-operate in placing the situation of their brethren here and in Africa, in that scale of happiness and respectability among the nations of the earth, from which they have been long degraded. Offers of service have been received from many worthy and influential individuals of their own colour, and from a number of fami

294 Report of the American Colonization Society.

lies in different parts of the United States, to become the first settlers in the colony, whenever a suitable situation shall be procured. The Managers can with confidence state their belief, that they would have no difficulty in procuring individuals among them worthy of trust and confidence, to explore the country. if necessary, and to plant a colony of sufficient strength to secure its safety and prosperity. This being accomplished, there can be no difficulty in presenting its importance to their brethren, in such a manner and with such unquestionable testimony, as must command their fullest confidence. Without detailing the variety of information received by the Board on this subject, the Managers cannot omit the testimony of capt. Paul Cuffee, so well known in Africa, Europe, and America, for his active and enlarged benevolence, and for his zeal and devotedness to the cause of the people of colour. The opportunities of captain Cuffee, of forming a correct opinion, were superior perhaps to those of any man in America. His judgment was clear and strong, and the warm interest he took in whatever related to the happiness of that class of people is well known. The testimony of such a man is sufficient to outweigh all the unfounded predictions and idle surmises of those opposed to the plan of the society. He had visited twice the coast of Africa, and became well acquainted with the country and its inhabitants. He states that upon his opinion alone, he could have taken to Africa at least two thousand people of colour from Boston and its neighbourhood. In the death of Paul Cuffee the society has lost a most useful advocate, the people of colour a warm and disinterested friend, and society a valuable member. His character alone ought to be sufficient to rescue the peopie to which he belonged from the unmerited aspersions which have been cast upon them. The plan of the society met with his entire approbation, its success was the subject of his ardent wishes, and the prospect of its usefulness to the native Africans and their descendants, in this country, was the solace of his declining years, and cheered the last moments of his existence.

3d. The objection urged on the score of expenditure in transporting so many persons to Africa, has been arrayed in all the inposing forms of figures and calculations. There is a material er ror in estimating the expense of removing each individual by the same ratio which may be incurred in the removal of the first colonists, without making any allowance for the thousands that will be enabled to defray their own expenses.

The advantages of the progress of the colony must have been equally overlooked; as it may be expected soon to become suffi ciently established and flourishing, to offer immediate employ ment to those who come among them, and who will be able to work and provide for their own subsistence. In addition to this, much may be expected from the augmented value of the land in propor tion to its settlement.

Our western countries present the best comment on this subject. An emigration to Africa will be attended with less expense, and

Mr. Jeffersons's letter on colonising the free blacks. 295

the emigrants will be exposed to less inconvenience, and to fewer difficulties, when the colony is established, than many of the emigrants to the western country now encounter and yet we find thousands coming even from remote parts of Europe to the interior of America, without the means and advantages which thousands of people of colour possess in this country, and that they often rise to respectability and independence, and even to wealth.

The Managers cannot pass the occasion without noticing the death of the Reverend Doctor Finley, one of the Vice-Presidents, during the past year. The deep interest which he took in the success of the society, and the zeal he displayed in its formation, are well known to many present. In his last sickness he was much gratified upon receiving information of the progress of the society, and of its prospects of success. It gave consolation and comfort to his last moments. When we view the society in this early stage of its proceedings, as animating the hopes and cheering the prospects of the dying christian who had been engaged in its service; when we view it as consécrated by the prayers of the pious, may we not be led with humble confidence to look to the good hand of an overruling Providence to guide its deliberations? May we not expect that the benedictions of millions yet unborn shall bless its anniversary."

On motion of Mr. Clay, a letter of Thomas Jefferson, late President of the United States, was read, which he understood was in the hands of some one present, and would show that the importance of such an institution had been long since duly appreciated, and had received the approbation of that illustrious individual.*

Copy of a letter from Thomas Jefferson, late President of the U. S. to John Lynd.

MONTICELLO, Jan. 21, 1811.

Sir-You have asked my opinion on the proposition of Ann Mifflin, to take measures for procuring, on the coast of Africa, an establishment to which the people of colour of these states might, from time to time, be colonized, under the auspices of different governments. Having long ago made up my mind on this subject, I have no hesitation in saying, that I have ever thought that the most desirable measure which could be adopted for gradually drawing off this part of our population. Most advantageous for themselves as well as for us; going from a country possessing all the useful arts, they might be the means of transplanting them among the inhabitants of Africa, and would thus carry back to the country of their origin the seeds of civilization, which might render their sojournment here a blessing, in the end, to that country.

I received, in the last year of my entering into the administration of the general government, a letter from the governor of Virginia, consulting me, at the request of the legislature of the state, on the means of procusing some such asylum to which these people might be occasionally sent.I proposed to him the establishment of Sierra Leone, in which a private company in England had already colonized a number of negroes, and particularly the fugitives from these states during the revolutionary war; and at the same time suggested, if that could not be obtained, some of the Portuguese possessions in South America as most desirable..

296

Letter from a Catholic Bishop approving

The subsequent legislature approving these ideas, I wrote the ensuing year (1802.) to Mr. King, our minister in London, to endeavor to negociate with the Sierra Leone company, and induce them to receive such of those people as might be colonized thither. He opened a correspondence with Mr. Wand Mr Thornton, secretary of the company, on the subject; and in 1803 I received, through Mr. King, the result; which was, that the colony was going on in but a languishing condition; that the funds of the company were likely to fail, as they received no returns of profit to keep them up, that they were then in treaty with the government to take the establishment off their hands; but that in no event, should they be willing to receive more of these people from the United States, as it was that portion of settlers who had gone from the United States, who, by their idleness and turbulence, had kept the settlement in constant danger of dissolution, which could not have been prevented but for the aid of the Ma roon negroes, from the West-Indies, who were more industrious and orderly than the others, and supported the authority of the government and its laws.

I think I learned afterwards that the British government had taken the colony into their own hands, and I believe it still exists.

The effort which I made with Portugal to obtain an establishment from them, within their colonies in South America, proved also abortive.

You inquired further, whether I would use my endeavours to procure such an establishment security against violence from other powers, and particularly the French. Certainly I shall be willing to do any thing I can to give it effect and safety.

But I am but a private individual, and could only use endeavours with individuals. Whereas, the national government can address themselves at once to those of Europe to obtain the desired security, and will unquestionably be ready to exert its influence with those nations to effect an object so benevolent in itself, and so important to a great portion of its constituents. Indeed, nothing is more to be wished than that the United States would themselves undertake to make such an establishment on the coast of Africa.

Exclusive of motives of humanity, the commercial advantages to be derived from it might defray all its expenses; but, for this the national mind is not prepared. It may perhaps be doubted whether many of these people would voluntarily consent to such an exchange of situation, and but few of those who are advanced to a certain age in habits of slavery would be capable of governing themselves: this should not, however, discourage the experiment, nor the early trial of it, And propositions should be made with all the prudent caution and attention requisite to reconcile it to the interest, the safety, and prejudice of all parties.

Accept the assurance of my respects and esteem.

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

EXTRACTS

Of the Correspondence of the British and Foreign Bible Society. (Concluded from page 276.)

5. From a Catholic Bishop,

May 7, 1817.

I continue to take the warmest interest in all that is doing for the advancement of religion and morality among men; and have often in my closet blessed the disinterested and unwearied exertions of those noble-minded men, who, together with you, reverend and worthy Sir, labour in the great work of promoting the happiness of mankind, and, by disseminating the Holy Scriptures of the New

and recommending the distribution of the Scriplures. 297

Testament, spread far and wide that most important declaration of St. Peter, that "there is no other name by which men can be saved, than the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

Fully convinced that mankind in general would be greatly improved in their moral condition, by being refreshed with the pure fountain of everlasting life, I have, not without regret, observed endeavours to throw obstacles in the way of the great work; which I attribute to the blind religious zeal of uncalled for critics, who torture words to a different meaning from that which they actually bear.. On the other hand, I have observed, with sincere delight, and ascribe it to a true regard and zeal for religion and morality, that the noble Britons, with unexampled disinterestedness, rouse all the talents of ingenious and learned men, in Germany, to assist in the increasing dissemination of the Book of Books.

I also have endeavoured to do this in my diocese, and feel not the smallest reluctance warmly and impressively to recommend the Holy Scriptures to my Clergy.

But my own sphere of operation, as you well know, is so far circumscribed, that I cannot make use of your generous offer, to its full extent. The small circle of my diocese would perhaps, at present, admit of the disposal of 200 copies in duodecimo, and 25 in large octavo. Should that number prove insufficient, and I should hereafter want more, I shall take the liberty of making free with your proffered generosity. Be however convinced, that I would gladly join your Bible Society, if, in imitation of the laudable and pious example of many worthy men, in and out of the country, such a society had not been established at which those on the banks of the will attach themselves as filial ones. It is, in fact, very immaterial, by what association, or from what country, Christ is preached to us, if, as St. Paul says, be be but preached to us. In this you will, no doubt, agree with me; and we will proceed, hand in hand, in our endeavours, by the dissemination of his doctrine, to draw many to Christ.

; to

‹ FORMATION OF THE TOBÖLSK BIBLE SOCIETY, IN THE CAPITAL OF

SIBERIA.

From the Rev. R. Pinkerton.

St. Petersburg, August 22, 1817.

On the 25th of June, a day memorable in the annals of Siberia, the foundation was laid of the Tobolsk Bible Society. The Archbishop and Clergy, together with the chief Governor, and a vast number of the citizens of all classes, being assembled in the Palace of the Archbishop, the Cathedral Priest, Zemlenitsen, addressed the meeting in a speech, of which the following is an extract:

"At length, Siberia, also, though distant in her situation from the imperial throne, yet ever near the heart of the august Monarch who sits upon it, puts her hands, with gladness, to labour in the blessed harvest of the word of God. Already the inhabitants of this city, at the call of the deliverer of kings and of nations, with